With Australian cricket in crisis, its women hope to provide a ray of light in its World Twenty20 quest

AUSTRALIAN cricket is in a dark place after a tumultuous couple of weeks off the field. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s being shone by Meg Lanning and her star-studded team at the World T20.

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AUSTRALIAN captain Meg Lanning says her World Cup favourite team can add a bright spark to the darkness surrounding the sport at home.

The world’s No.1 ranked side begins its World T20 quest against Pakistan in Guyana on Saturday morning (AEDT) as the sport in Australia remains under fire.

While the women are in formidable form, the mushrooming fallout from the Longstaff review into cricket’s culture and the poor on field performances of the Australian men’s side has hurt the sport.

Lanning and her teammates are favourites to take out the tournament. Picture: AAP

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Lanning said while the drama at home had not affected her side or its focus, it was aware of its responsibilities and she implored the public to get on board.

“Hopefully there’s a lot of people following us back home and we can bring something really positive to the situation,” Lanning said.

“It’s obviously a tough time for Australian cricket but I’m sure there’ll be some positive stuff coming pretty soon.

“Hopefully we can perform really well here and have some success.

“The good thing is we don’t really need to change much about what we’re doing.

“We’ve got good systems in place, we’re all really enjoying what we’re doing, we’re really competitive and we have come over here to win, but we’re also aware of how to play the game and the way it should be played.

“Hopefully the cricket supporters and the Australian public can get behind us.”

Meg Lanning (L) and Georgia Wareham celebrate a wicket. Picture: AAP

The Aussies were beaten by the West Indies in the World T20 final in 2016, but Lanning said this was a different side.

“We’re here to win the World Cup and we know that in tournament play everyone starts on level pegging,” she said.

“It’s pretty-cut throat, but we think we’re going to thrive under that pressure.

“We don’t rely on one or two players, in the past perhaps maybe we have done that.”

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Lanning said she had not been troubled by the minor back issue she suffered last month and left arm orthodox spinner Sophie Molineux was also expected to be available for selection despite being struck on her bowling hand at training earlier in the week.

Star left arm spinner Jess Jonassen took three wickets in a warm-up game against Pakistan on Tuesday in her second match since September knee surgery, while 20-year-old pace bowler Tayla Vlaeminck also impressed.

“Selection will be difficult,” Lanning said.

Jess Jonassen took three wickets in Australia’s warm-up win over Pakistan. Picture: Getty

“The conditions will play a part, but we’re confident with whatever make up that we go with, it’ll be really effective.”

Australia plays four Pool B games in Guyana; it is seeded to meet England, top-ranked team in Pool A, in the final, which will be played in Antigua.

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